It is a shame. They are so young and they threw away their lives.
And they are probably just living what they are taught.

I had a student a few years back who would always eat stuff that was on my desk..........my bagels, my soda..........my sandwich........

if I left it on my desk, he would eat it and make no apologies for it. In fact he would tell me how "selfish" I was for having food and not giving it to everyone.

When I told his mother about his behavior, she told me that it was my fault for having food items on my desk. That I was being "selfish" for eating infront of the kids.

( does anyone else hear an echo?!)

BTW........and I did tell her this.......the things that he ate were items that were in my LUNCHBAG on my desk, or things that someone else put on my desk for me, things that I was going to eat during my lunchtime. I never eat when the kids aren't eating because I personally don't think it's good practice.

DonnaMaria, sometimes I wonder how you can stand it. Especially when the PARENTS don't even back you up. You represent what is so admirable in good educators; I hope you don't get too discouraged.